KTKA off market; changes planned

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Oct 8, 2008 by Michael Hooper

By Michael Hooper

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

The owner of KTKA-TV, Channel 49, has decided against selling the station, a company official said Tuesday.

Kathy Mohn, general manager, was let go from the station as part of a restructuring announced to staff members on Monday, said Patrick Knorr, chief operating officer of The World Co. in Lawrence, which owns KTKA.

"We're looking at changing the structure," Knorr said. "She did a great job for us."

He said Channel 49 would continue to operate its news operation.

Knorr said the declining capital and credit markets were factors in management's decision to take the station off the selling block.

In July, The World Co. announced KTKA was for sale. Since then, however, stock markets have declined and credit markets have tightened, making it difficult for investors to borrow money.

"This is difficult times for all media operations," Knorr said. "We're focused on maintaining the highest quality product."

In August 2005, Free State Communications, a subsidiary of The World Co., bought KTKA, at 2121 S.W. Chelsea, for $6.2 million from Northeast Kansas Broadcast Services Inc., of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.

KTKA, the local ABC affiliate, went for three years without a local news operation before relaunching it in early 2006.

About 50 employees work for KTKA. Knorr said the owner has made several investments in the station, including digital transmission capability.

Michael Hooper can be reached

at (785) 295-1293

or michael.hooper@cjonline.com.